Development

The game supports 3D and based on the type of game it is, the 3D functionality works really well. Not all missions are playable though and it’s not clear whether they have increased the amount of levels that can be played with 3D or not.

As an homage to numerous 8-bit videogames, Retro City Rampage incorporates design elements from a lot of different genres. Although it is primarily played from a top-down bird’s-eye viewpoint, in specific sections, it may switch to a strictly two-dimensional perspective in the style of a 2D platformer.

The game also features 16 graphical filters that simulate various retro computers and game consoles.

The concept for Retro City Rampage originally came from a homebrew project that began in 2002. In his spare time, game programmer Brian Provinciano constructed his own Nintendo Entertainment System development kit and set about remaking one of his favourite titles, Grand Theft Auto III, with 8-bit sprite graphics, under the codename of Grand Theftendo.

At the 2011 Game Developers Conference, he revealed his methods, showing how, over several years, he built advanced software tools to help him overcome the limitations of Nintendo Entertainment System hardware, before eventually shifting development to the PC. [reference]

The game pays tribute to many titles through its storytelling, levels and character abilities, such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Mega Man, Contra and Bionic Commando, among others. The game also pays tribute to “cheesy” one-liners, television shows and pop culture, as well as cameos including Phil Fish (creator of Fez), Billy Campbell, and Phil Guerrero (of YTV fame).

The game is playable in 5 Languages: English, Français, Italiano, Deutsch, Español. It features Steam Leaderboards and achivements. It also supports Keyboards, Joysticks, Gamepads and other Game Controllers.

Plot

In Retro City Rampage, players take control of a henchman of a major crime syndicate known as the Jester. The game is inspired by Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto games, in that the player can complete a variety of missions within an enormous city that is open to explore.

Here’s the official description given by V Blank Games.

“The entire open-world is in danger.

The player is out for a friendly frolic of crime capers when suddenly ambushed by evil good guys. They will stop at nothing to end his rampage of doom threatening the citizens of Theftropolis City. Are you bad enough to defeat the evil good guys?

Retro City Rampage lets you play as the player. Take the wheel with five-finger discounts on over 30 vehicles and wield over 20 weapons that will make you say “whoa”! Run down innocent pedestrians to hear the magnificent monophonic modulated sounds.

Order a pint of sour milk” from the barkeep to make yourself sick and avoid taking responsibility for your actions. At some point, defeat the evil good guys then relax and go do it, when you want an iced tea.”

Gameplay

Retro City Rampage is a parody of the open-world action genre, it takes modern game mechanics and mashes them into an authentic 8-bit experience.

Equal parts fast paced arcade action and an epic mission based story mode, it’s all the driving and shooting you’d expect and a whole lot more! With missions that twist pages straight from classic game experiences, you get to re-live and rewrite history in a way only a modern anti-hero could.

It contains over 60 story missions. Gameplay mechanics like Driving, Shooting, Stealth, Platforming, Swimming, Rhythm, and much more.Over 40 Arcade Challenges. It allows gamers to record and share replays.

The game contains over 25 Weapons & Power-Ups: From Lightguns to Bionic Arms, Rockets, Guitars and “Grogotovs”. It also also allows you over 50 vehicles to steal including cars, Trucks, Bikes, Vans, Skateboards and Tanks
Equip Guns, Rockets, Flames & Nitro!

There are over 200 character customizations which allows you to change the hair styles, Tattoos, Glasses, Even Plastic Surgery. It also features a huge open world to explore including buildings, shops, and activities. [reference]